Reagan 38, Roosevelt 29, final

Not like there should have been much doubt about the outcome, though. The Rattlers were simply too good tonight, especially quarterback Trevor Knight.

This was my first chance to see the promising sophomore, and color me impressed. Mobile, strong-armed, mature…what’s not to like? Oh yeah, he only just turned 16 today, meaning he has plenty of room to grow with two more years of eligibility left.

Really liked what I saw from Reagan’s defense over the second half, too. The Rattlers were pretty well dissected by Roosevelt quarterback Devin Haywood in the first, but they really accepted the challenge in the second.

As Reagan coach David Wetzel just told me, “We feel good to hold them to 29 points.” And he was dead serious.

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Knight’s 57-yard bomb to Jordan Mengele should just about do it. A beautifully-designed and executed play. The Rattlers showed a middle screen, sucking in Roosevelt’s defense and letting Mengele sneak loose. Knight’s moon ball was on target and Menegele had an easy stroll to the end zone.

Reagan 31, Roosevelt 20, end of the third

In relation to our prediction about defense equalling victory, the Rattlers are half way there, having bumped their lead to 11 while holding Roosevelt to only six yards on two three-and-out drives in the third quarter. It’s now their game to lose.

Reagan 21, Roosevelt 20, halftime

A highly entertaining, well-played contest. If you like offense, of course — which we do, so we’re not complaining at all.

Both quarterbacks are playing exceptionally well. Reagan’s Trevor Knight, only a sophomore, has comleted 6 of 8 passes for 77 yards and one touchdown to go with a 7-yard scoring run. Roosevent senior Devin Haywood has accounted for 210 yards, but he’s also thrown a pair of interceptions to Reagan’s Moses Bell.

Rough Riders back Brandon Armstrong has been quiet from a yardage standpoint (35 on 10 carries) but he’s also scored all three of his team’s touchdowns.

So we’ll go out on a limb at this point — the first team to play a little defense wins. With both teams having combined for 454 yards in the first half (234 for Roosevelt, 220 for Reagan), that will probably be much easier said than done.

Reagan 7, Roosevelt 7, end of the first

Nice little battle shaping up here at Comalander Stadium.

The Rattlers authored a tight little 69-yard drive for their opening TD, a 7-yard keeper by sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight — who is really sharp, by the way, especially for an underclassman.

Roosevelt responded with Brandon Armstrong’s 1-yard run on fourth-and-inches from inside the Reagan 1.